Max Diaries: Use Your Words!

Christina Cox

by Christina Cox, new mom blogger

A wise friend once said that you’re kids are little beings that just catch a ride into this life through you. And, they teach you things. I’ve always remembered what she said and I’ve really watched my two-year old Max in a whole new way because of it. Last weekend, my husband got a big lesson from Max.My husband, my sister, Max and I were sitting in the living room watching TV. My husband had his laptop computer on his lap and was reading a complaint letter from a customer from his work. He was furious about it. Max was running around the living room playing, but decided to take his car transporter and smash it on the keyboard of my husband’s computer.I am embarrassed to say that my husband, still in a fury from the letter, caught the car in his hand and tossed it over his head and it landed on the wood floor behind the couch. He didn’t say a word to Max or to any of us, but threw the car without saying a word. We were all silent and we could tell he was angry. Max looked at me for an explanation. I told him that Daddy was upset right now. I explained that sometimes, we all get upset or angry and that’s ok. But, it’s NOT ok to throw toys or do anything that might hurt others and I flashed an irritated look to my husband.Max walked around the living room trying to comprehend what had just happened. He muttered under his breath, “Daddy’s upset” and “Daddy’s grumpy” and kicked his leg around. He wasn’t satisfied. So, he walked to the backside of the sofa, where we have some toy bricks stacked, and he climbed up on them so he could get close to my husband’s head. He got his mouth right next to my husband’s ear and said as loud as he could, “DADDY, USE YOUR WORDS!”My sister and I started laughing so hard, we couldn’t stop, Max had just reprimanded his Daddy, using the same logic we use for him. And, my husband finally mellowed out and broke into a wide smile. Max smiled too, because he had gotten us all to laugh! He reminded his Daddy how he was supposed to behave.It is so funny how your flaws become so blazing apparent when you have a little one. Many times, Max calls them out without any censorship, like he did with my husband. Or, sometimes I see my own flaws when I am in the middle of difficult situations with Max. For me, it’s trying to stay patient when I’m trying to get him to do things like bathe, or eat, or go to sleep when he’d rather wiggle, run away or avoid these things altogether. But, truth is, Max makes me want to be a better person. I see his innocent little face and his simple little desires I realize that he sees things pretty clear, sometimes clearer than me. And, all that makes me want to be the best role model I can be for him. Max is learning so much right now, but really, he is the one teaching me so much more than I ever thought he could!